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“The gap was demonstrated tonight. We said before the game that this is the level we are aspiring to as a club,” said Warburton. “We are aspiring to come to grounds of this quality, to have this kind of build-up in every game we play.

“This is what we all want and are working towards. But that is the level you need to be at. They had quality on their team sheet and that is what we have to contend with.

“It was a huge lesson for us; it was a lesson that showed us the level we want to be at. We learned that if you make mistakes against this level of player, you will be punished.

“Recognise what we have to do. These are the things we have to learn. They are Premier League champions for a reason.

“Somebody said they were playing one of their reserves tonight and he only cost £32m – they were joking, but it was a fact. That is the level we have to aspire to; that is our job and we owe it to supporters to get back to the top flight.

“For Forest to be out of that division for 19 years is too long – so we have to strive and work to get back there.

“The fans were magnificent. We have to do it for them.”

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Warburton did have familiar frustrations, however, with questionable defending involved in at least three of the Chelsea goals – not least the first from winger Kenedy, which came after Forest had made a bright start.

“It was a sobering night. We knew what we faced tonight and it was a compliment to us, when we saw their team sheet, there were a few surprises,” said Warburton. “We started the game well, we kept the ball and moved the ball well – I was pleased, because we made a positive statement.

“But then we can’t give away soft goals. Look at Sheffield Wednesday and Wolves. Tonight was the same, the ball travelled to the far post where Kenedy is unopposed and scored. Then we make a mistake on the edge of our own box and we were 2-0 down after 20 minutes to a world class team – that cannot happen.

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“For all the good play – and at times we looked good – it is irrelevant if you concede soft goals.

“We can’t have a soft underbelly, we have to be hard to beat. There is no lack of passion, you saw that tonight.

“There is no lack of work ethic or character. But we cannot be easy to score against. We gave the ball away 20 yards from our goal against world class players. If you do that, you will get hurt. Have no doubt about that.”